Chance device comprising a game board apertured to receive rolling game pieces and having concealed indicia associated with the apertures therein



8 7 3 1 mn m mo mwm WWO AWE mw NOHRZ A N Dec. 10, 1963 H. H. SILVE CHANCE DEVICE COMPRISING A c RECEIVE ROLLING GAME PIECES A INDICIA ASSOCIATED WITH THE Filed July 25,

INVE TOR. HERBERT HgILVERMAN Q LW 'Arromn l I I I 1 I dds "6Q 'E CD CD Q GU lDD [IDS JGH United States Patent Office 3,113,778 Patented Dec. 10, 1963 CHANCE DEVICE CGMPRISlNG A GAME BOARD APERTURED TU RECEIVE RULELING GAME PliECES AND HAVHNG CGNCEALED TNDK CEA ASUC1ATED Wl'llllii THE AllERTURES THEElEli-l Herbert H. Silverman, rcoltlyn, NY.

(13 Ursula Drive, Roslyn, NE.) Filed July 23, 1962, Ser. No. 211,515 9 Claims. (Cl. 273-139) This invention relates generally to game constructions, and is especially concerned with a unique construction for games of chance.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and highly improved game construction wherein rollable elements are engaged by chance in board openings.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a highly improved game construction of the type described wherein playing board openings may have characterizing indicia associated therewith, and unique means is provided for concealing the indicia without obstructing play of the game.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a game construction of the type described which is extremely simple in structure, durable and long-lasting in use, easy to use, and which can be economically manufactured for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view showing a game construction of the present invention in its condition of use.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the game of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3a is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower righthand corner of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view showing the game of FIG- URE l in another condition of use.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view showing one embodiment of alternative playing board of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view showing another embodiment of alternative playing board.

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view showing a slightly modified game constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 14 thereof, the game construction illustrated therein is generally designated 10, and includes a lower assembly 11 and an upper assembly 12.

The lower assembly 11 is composed of a lower, generally rectangular open frame 14. The lower frame 14 has its underside closed by a lower sheet 15 extending entirely across and having its peripheral margin 16 secured to the underside of the frame entirely thereabout.

The peripheral margin 16 of lower sheet 15 may be se-' cured adhesively or otherwise to the underside of the lower frame 14, as desired. A platform 17 is mounted on the lower sheet 15, spaced upward therefrom, and is of a rectangular configuration similar to but slightly smaller than the interior of the lower frame 14. The platform 17 is supported on the lower sheet in elevated position by a depending peripheral platform wall 18 extending entirely about the bounding margin of the platform. The lower sheet 15, and platform 17 combine to define the bottom of the lower frame 14. It will be noted that the platform 17 is spaced below the upper surface or top of the lower frame 14. The lower frame 14 thus combines with its bottom 15, 17 to provide a receptacle, for a purpose appearing presently; and, the receptacle bottom 15, 1'7 combines with the receptacle side wall or lower frame 14 to define between the platform and lower frame upwardly facing, rectangularly arranged groove 29 extending peripherally around the interior of the lower frame.

Each of a plurality of generally rectangular playing boards 22 is interchangeably conformably received in the lower frame 1 1, preferably with the upper surface of the board substantially flush with the upper surface or edge of the lower frame. The playing board 22 may be provided with a plurality of through holes or openings 23, which may be arranged in a rectangular array. Depending from the edges of the playing board 22 are extensions or legs 24, which depend into the peripherally extending grooves 2% to the lower sheet 15 for supporting the playing board at the top of the lower frame and spaced over the platform 17. The board extensions or legs 24 are removably engageable in the grooves Zil to enable the board 22 to be removed and replaced with respect to the lower frames 14.

As seen in FIGURE 4, the upper surface of playing board 22 is provided with markings or indicia respectively associated with the openings 23, the. indicia there shown corresponding to markings of playing cards. An alternative form of marking or indicia is shown in FIG- URE 6, there corresponding to playing-card values without suit designation. Still another alternative form of playing-board marking is shown in FIGURE 5, the marking there illustrated being numerical. Of course, other forms of marking may also be employed.

The upper assembly 12 may include an upper, ope frame 25 generally congruent to the lower frame 14 and movable into and out of superposed relation with respect to the latter. For this purpose, the lower and upper frames 14 and 26 may be pivotally connected together, as by hinges 27, along one pair of adjacent frame sides, for swinging movement of the upper frame upward away from the lower frame and return downward toward and into the congruent overlying relation with respect to the lower frame. Suitable stop means may be provided to limit relative swinging movement of the lower and upper frames 14 and 25, as by a stop member or lug 28 projecting outward from the lower frame 14 intermediate the hinges 27.

Extending entirely across the lower region of the upper frame 26 is a covering sheet 3t which may have its peripheral margin secured by any suitable means to the undersurface of the upper frame entirely thereabout.

. 3 The covering sheet 30 is, therefore, swingable with the upper frame 26 between the position of FIGURES 1-3 overlying the playing board 22, and the position of FIG- URE 4 swung upward and away from the playing board.

The covering sheet 39 is formed with a plurality of through openings 31 which are sized and arranged to respectively overlie the playing-board openings 23. If desired, the openings 31 may each be of a circular configuration and size equal to that of the underlying openings 23 cf the playing board 22, so that upon downward swinging movement of the upper frame 26 to place t.e covering sheet 30 in its overlying or covering relation with respect to the playing board 22, the openings 31 are all in respective registry with the openings 23. In this condition, the indicia or markings of the playing board 22. are concealed from a players view, while the openings 23 of the playing board remain open and unobstructed for play.

A plurality of playing pieces, such as rollable members or balls 35 may be employed in conjunction with the lower and upper assemblies 11 and 12. For example, with the upper assembly 12 in superposed relation over the lower assembly 11, one or more rollable members or balls 33 may be thrown or otherwise placed on the covering sheet 30 for rolling movement and chance engagement in a pair of aligned openings '31 and 23. In such operation the upper frame 26, by its upstanding relation beyond the covering sheet 36, serves as a retaining barrier or periplleral wall for retaining the balls 33 in the area of play.

A ball 33 is show in FIGURE 3 as engaged in one board opening 23 and resting on the nether region of platform 17. That is, the openings 23 and 31 are sized to permit the balls 38 to engage through the openings and seat on the platform with a major portion of a ball extending upward beyond the receiving openings. This facilitates manual grasping and removal of a ball 33 from engagement in a board opening. That is, the spacing of the platform 17 from the playing board 22 is such that a ball resting on the platform in a board opening 23 has a substantial portion extending upward beyond the playing board. Further, by the loose reception of the balls 33 in the aligned openings 31 and 23, the upper frame 26 and its covering sheet 30 are swingable upward to the condition of FIGURE 4 with the covering sheet passing over the balls. This upward swinging movement of the upper assembly 12 serves to expose the markings on the playing board 22 vfor computing score, or the like. The balls 33 may then be removed, and the upper assembly 12 returned to its overlying relation for repeated play of the game.

In FIGURE 7 is shown a slightly modified embodiment of game construction, generally designated 1011, wherein a lower assembly 11a and upper assembly 12a may be substantially identical to the lower and upper assemblies 11 and 12 of the first-described embodiment.

However, while in the first-described embodiment, the lower assembly 11 was adapted to rest on any suitable horizontal supporting surface, the lower assembly 11a is provided on its underside with a rotary mount or pedestal 35. By this means, the game construction a is rotatable about a generally central, vertical axis. This construction permits of continued re-use of a single playing board 22 without a player being able to learn the location of particularly designated playing-board openings. That is, the players association of playing-board indicia with location is prevented, as the orientation of the playing board is unknown to the player; and of course, the playing board is covered by a covering sheet.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a game construction which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within B the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

'l. A game construction comprising a receptacle adapted to rest on a supporting surface, a playing hoard removably disposed in said receptacle and having a plurality of upwardly facing openings, said playing board being provided on its upper surface with indicia associated with said openings, rollable playing pieces removably engageable in said openings, an open frame hingedly connected to said receptacle for swinging movement into and out of superposed relation with the latter, and a covering sheet extending across and carried by said frame for movement therewith into and out of overlying relation with said. playing board, said covering sheet having through open ings generally conforming to the openings of said playing board for receiving said playing pieces with said sheet in its covering relation, whereby said sheet conceals said indicia from a player during engagement of said playing pieces in said openings.

2. A game construction according to claim 1, said covering sheet being spaced be-low the top of said frame when the latter is superposed on said receptacle, whereby said frame defines a peripheral retaining wall for retaining said rol'lable playing pieces.

3. A game construction according to claim 1, said board openings passing through said board, and supporting legs depending from said board for supporting the latter in sufiiciently spaced relation over said receptacle so that playing pieces engaged in said board openings rest on the bottom of said receptacle and extend upward beyond said board for manual removal therefrom.

4. A game construction according to claim 1, in combination with rotary mounting means mounting said receptacle for rotation relative to a player, to prevent the players association of said indicia with location.

5. A game construction comprising a playing board I 'aving a plurality of upwardly facing openings for removably receiving rollable playing pieces, said board being provided with indicia associated with said openings, and a covering sheet removahly disposed in covering relation with said board, said sheet having a plurality of through openings arranged to conformably overlie said board openings when said sheet is in said covering relation, whereby said sheet conceals said indicia while permitting engagement of playing pieces in said board openings.

6. A game construction according to claim 5, in combination with an upstanding bounding wall extending peripherally about said sheet, for retaining playing pieces on said sheet when the latter is in its covering relation.

7. A game construction according to claim 5, in combination with a rotary support on the underside of said playing board for rotating said boa-rd relative to a player to prevent association of said indicia with location.

8. A game construction comprising a generally rectangular lower frame, a bottom extending across the lower region of said lower frame, said bottom having upwardly facing grooves extending along the interior of said lower frame, a generally rectangular playing board rem-ovalbly and conformably engaged in said lower frame substan tially flush with the upper surface thereof and spaced above said bot-tom, said board having a plurality of through openings formed therein, there being indicia marked on the upper surface of said board in association with each of said openings, depending extensions along the edges of said board removably engaged in said grooves for supporting said board in said spaced relation above said bottom, a generally rectangular upper frame substantially congruent to said lower frame and hinged-1y connected thereto for swinging movement into and out of position overlying said lower frame, and a covering sheet extending across the lower region of said upper frame and sw-ingable therewith into and out of overlying relation with respect to said board, said covering sheet being provided with a plurality of through openings arranged to respectively overlie said board openings when said sheet is in said covering relation, whereby said indieia are concealed by said covering sheet without obstruction of said board openings.

9. A game construction according to claim 8, in combination with a rotary support conneoted to the underside of said bottom and mounting the latter for rotation of said playing board to prevent mental association of said indieia with location.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS link June 24, 1930 Geekas July 11, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Mer. 23, 1933 Italy Aug. 27, 1957 

5. A GAME CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A PLAYING BOARD HAVING A PLURALITY OF UPWARDLY FACING OPENINGS FOR REMOVABLY RECEIVING ROLLABLE PLAYING PIECES, SAID BOARD BEING PROVIDED WITH INDICIA ASSOCIATED WITH SAID OPENINGS, AND A COVERING SHEET REMOVABLY DISPOSED IN COVERING RELATION WITH SAID BOARD, SAID SHEET HAVING A PLURALITY OF THROUGH OPENINGS ARRANGED TO CONFORMABLY OVERLIE SAID BOARD OPENINGS WHEN SAID SHEET IS IN SAID COVERING RELATION, WHEREBY SAID SHEET CONCEALS SAID INDICIA WHILE PERMITTING ENGAGEMENT OF PLAYING PIECES IN SAID BOARD OPENINGS. 